Linda Burney, Australia’s Minister for Indigenous Australians, is retiring from politics after a decades-long career in public service.
Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese held a press conference on Thursday morning with Minister Burney, as well as Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor, who is also retiring.
The Prime Minister praised Minister Burney’s impressive career and list of “firsts” as a trailblazing Indigenous woman in politics.
“Everyone who meets Linda Burney shares in the joy of her company and the light of that wonderful smile,” Albanese said.
“The discrimination, hardship and loss she had to overcome in her life is more than most of us can comprehend. Linda was born into an Australia where she was treated as a second-class citizen. And indeed was not recognised.”
Before entering politics, Minister Burney was a teacher, and the Prime Minister told reporters Burney was the first Indigenous student to graduate from her teachers college.
She began her career in politics in 2003, becoming the first Aboriginal person to be elected to NSW parliament where she served for more than a decade.
In 2016, she made the switch to federal politics, becoming the first Indigenous woman to be elected to the House of Representatives.
After Labor won the 2022 federal election, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese elected her as the Minister for Indigenous Affairs. She was not only the first Indigenous woman to hold that role, but was the first Indigenous woman to be in a federal cabinet.
Minister Burney, who is 67 years old, gave an emotional address to reporters, saying she was “excited” for her future.
“My entire life has always been about service, and I believe I have a valuable contribution to make outside parliament in the future,” she said.
“I have been through more than my fair share of life’s ups and downs, but I think I have done it with kindness, grace, resilience, intelligence and integrity.”
Minister Burney served as the Indigenous Affairs Minister during last year’s referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which more than 60 per cent of the country voted against.
“Of course the Voice referendum … didn’t deliver the outcome we had hoped, but I think history will treat it kindly,” Minsiter Burney told reporters.
“But I know in my heart, I gave all that I could to close the gap and to advance reconciliation.”
In light of her impressive list of firsts, Minister Burney said she “won’t be the last” Indigenous woman to do what she did.
“To me, that is progress,” she said.
As for what’s next, Minister Burney said she was “excited” for her future and to “have a rest” – but “not just yet”.
“My life has been one of service, and I don’t think that will change,” Minister Burney said.
With the retirement of two cabinet ministers, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he will announce a cabinet reshuffle on Sunday.